Grant for the development of innovative solutions in agro-industry

USAID (United States Agency for International Development) has been offering development grant initiatives to businesses around the world for a long time.

Recently, the focus of the Agency has shifted from financing the needs of business entities to providing grants for the innovative activities of their businesses.

First of all, it is understood the introduction of the use of innovative solutions, their implementation in the implementation of ordinary production activities. One of the areas of business where USAID welcomes such decisions is agro-industry.

Currently, applications are being accepted for a grant for the development of innovative solutions in agro-industry in the amount of up to 198,000,000 hryvnias (submission deadline - July 4, 2025). This program is aimed at supporting MSMEs (micro, small and medium-sized enterprises) in agro-industry, which are engaged in production, including processing, or processing of agricultural products and implement or wish to implement innovative solutions in their activities.

There are several requirements for applicants to participate in the program:

• micro-businesses in the agricultural sector, farmers, farms with a staff of up to 10 employees;
• small and medium-sized farmers or farms, having from 10 to 250 employees;
• enterprises, conducting activities in the field of agro-industry.
• as well as other subjects (non-profit organizations, public and private research institutions and universities, cooperatives of farmers or farms) whose activities are related to agro-industry, which can and are ready to introduce innovative methods and technologies in this field.

The types of activities of the applicant and those innovative solutions that he intends to implement with financial support under this program must:

1. be aimed at increasing food security, improving the productivity of business operations;
2. the implementation of those innovations that will be proposed for implementation by the applicants, will provide benefits not only for him, but also for the population (growth of the economy, availability of resources for other farmers and farms, etc.).

Provisions of those costs that the applicant plans to reimburse for grant funds must be related to the implementation of an innovative solution, which involves the purchase of necessary equipment, production raw materials, payment of costs for patenting an object of intellectual property, etc.

In order to fulfill the conditions of the program, a mandatory share of the applicant's co-financing can also be determined, which is expressed in the contribution of a certain percentage of the project cost to cover certain costs.

Conclusions

Farms and companies engaged in the production and sale of agricultural products will be able to apply for a grant for the implementation of their innovative solutions in the field of agro-industry until July 4, 2025.

Specialists of Prikhodko and Partners are ready to provide their support services under this grant program for interested clients.